Neighborhood Business Highlight: Olive Juice Gifts & OJK-A Children’s Boutique

Owners, Erin & Council Young and daughter

While a Senior at Ole Miss, Erin Young had the opportunity of a lifetime, to open her own business, Olive Juice Gifts on the Oxford Square. After a successful 10 years in the gift shop business, her marriage to Council Young and their first baby girl, they decided in 2021 to open OJK-A Children’s Boutique. They are happily married and now co-owners of OJK. As Erin shared, “This was not a planned venture, but it has been the best and most exciting challenge that we didn't know we needed.”

Both Olive Juice Gifts and OJK are located on the Oxford Square. Erin shared, “We believe the Square is the best place for both of our businesses to flourish. Our products, atmosphere, and overall retail experiences embody the spirit of small town hospitality. We feel so blessed to be a small part of "spending a weekend in Oxford" and have met countless tourists, visitors, campus families, and so many more customers and friends over the years. When you're on the Square, you just feel "connected" and it's almost like a big family with the other retailers, restaurants, and businesses.”

While they may not have “specials” going on right now, Erin shared, “We love that there is always a new "season" to endure and look forward to in Oxford. Spring in Oxford is here and with that comes new displays, inventory, and themes inside the store. There was a time where the stores were “quiet” during Janury and throughout the summer (without the college students). But now, there seems to never really be “downtime” and for that we are grateful! So instead of promotions/specials for us, we like to keep the stores “fresh,” within season, and try to always provide our customers with exciting new inventory and shopping experiences.”

OJK on Jackson Avenue East

We ask our Neighborhood businesses how the Oxford and Lafayette county real estate market affects them. Erin recently shared, “The healthy market of Oxford due to the retirement community, university families, locals, young families, second-home families, etc. creates a strong economy for our community. The growth of the real estate market creates more opportunities for businesses to flourish. This directly affects our stores with more customers, demands, and interests in small town shopping.”

We are so fortunate to have Erin and Council’s love and passion for the “retail life” and hope you’ll visit both Olive Juice Gifts and OJK-A Children’s Boutique while you’re on the Oxford Square. Olive Juice Gifts is located at 305 South Lamar Blvd and is open Monday-Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm. OJK-A Children’s Boutique is located at 1005 Jackson Avenue East and is open Monday-Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm. Follow both stores on social media (Facebook & Instagram).

Neighborhoods close by: Harrison Square, Van Buren Village, 619 University Avenue, Belle Maison, Tyler Place, The Ice House, Inmon House, Jefferson Park, Oxford Manor Condos